Mother's Day gift touches family of cancer survivors

Published
12:00 am CDT, Saturday, May 12, 2012

Lynna Humbert, George Humbert and Shanna Schulz are each glowing today at Ethan Humbert's Mother's Day gift.

Ethan Humbert painted George's Suzuki motorcycle to reflect a theme of cancer survivorship because all three of his family members are cancer survivors. He delivered the motorcycle to George and Lynna Humbert on Thursday.

"This made my entire week seeing their reaction," said Ethan Humbert, the owner of Pinto's Kustoms & Collision in Rosewood Heights. "I finished it for Mother's Day because I knew it would mean a lot to my mom and sister. In the same sense, my whole family has been through and beaten cancer. I was honored to do something like that. I am very lucky to have the special women and my father in my life."

On one side of the motorcycle there is a "fight for the cure" ribbon in paint with the word "survivor" across it and a ribbon on back in honor of the Humbert family. There are a couple hidden ribbons and on the front of the radiator and around the gas cap it says "hope, faith, believe, love and courage," remembering the family's fight coping with cancer.

Lynna Humbert reacted with rare tears when she saw her son's gift.

"It's a tribute to all of us and our daughter, Shanna," Lynna Humbert said.

George Humbert said he was overwhelmed when he first saw the motorcycle.

"I will now never change the design," George said. "I could see this being something picked up in the Susan B. Komen race."

George Humbert, the retired pastor of College Avenue Presbyterian Church, said the motorcycle painting sure beats a card and lunch.

"This is one of those kinds of things that last forever," he said. "The old adage is it's the thought that counts. Mothers always appreciate you thinking about it and doing this kind of gift."

Ethan Humbert said his entire family has so much courage to battle the odds of cancer.

"This was one of those really emotional paint jobs," Ethan Humbert said. "I did another one in the past that was a casket and that was pretty emotional, too, but this one hit home.

"I don't think I have ever seen my dad prouder of anything than this. I think he thought I had just borrowed his bike for a ride and didn't realize I was painting."

The key was just to show his family how proud he was to honor them for their fight against cancer, Ethan Humbert said.

"I am so thankful all my family members overcame cancer," he said.

This will be one Mother's Day that each member of Humbert family will never forget because of the thoughtful painting by a devoted son and brother.